The town unofficially expects to receive 58.6 percent reimbursement for the cost of a new Auburn Middle School on West Street, according to Maryellen Brunelle, superintendent of schools.

That would leave local taxpayers responsible for 41.39 percent of the cost, with the rest funded by the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

“Our base was set at 54.16 percent reimbursement, with additional incentive points for building green and using a construction manager at risk,” Ms. Brunelle said.

She said it is too early to estimate the cost of construction, but “we have a not-to-exceed budget of $45 million.”

That means the town could build a $45 million school for $18.6 million in local tax dollars.

Project architect Eric D. Moore of Lamoureux-Pagano Associates Architects of Worcester detailed plans for the school at the last School Committee meeting. He showed committee members an architect's rendering of the modern, two-story brick and precast concrete masonry school, which includes a “team-based floor plan.”

Most classrooms would be 900 square feet, which is larger than existing classrooms and meets standards set by the MSBA. The site would contain a multi-use athletic field as well as a smaller practice field, full-sized gymnasium with spectator seating, combined cafeteria/auditorium, school garden and outdoor classroom.

Ms. Brunelle said the existing middle school building is overcrowded by MSBA standards. The proposed 100,395-square-foot school would be built on 7.6 acres of town-owned land behind the Randall School building and an additional 6.52 acres to be acquired from the Joel H. Prouty Lodge of Masons for $325,000, contingent on approval of the project.

Ms. Brunelle said the school will be built only if voters approve a debt exclusion at both the May 7 town meeting and the May 21 annual town election. She said the next step is to have a meeting with the MSBA to discuss the cost of the project before the MSBA board meets on April 3 to approve or disapprove the school.

“Once we have that approval, we have 120 days to get local approval. If the debt exclusion fails, we risk going to the bottom of a list of 1,200 proposed schools being looked at by MSBA.”

Ms. Brunelle said the public, including town meeting members, is invited to attend a presentation on the project at 7:30 p.m. March 18 in the Auburn High School auditorium. Additional public presentations are planned over the next two months, including one before the Board of Selectmen at 7 p.m. March 25 and one at 11 a.m. March 29 at the Lorraine Gleick Nordgren Senior Center.

CDL A DELIVERY DRIVERS Home Every Night! Needed for our Worcester Depot! Drive local - No more spending valuable nights away from your family! As a Direct Store Delivery Representative YOU have the opportunity to make a difference with our customers! Provide excellent customer service; interact in a positive manner with our customers; deliver our products to local stores. Be home every night! Work for a Company that has been around for over 80 years! Minimum of 3 months driving experience with CDL A/B; GED or HS diploma required; Must be able to drive a standard transmission. EEO/Veteran/Disability Growing Strong Since1933!